Pakistan may not play in India for security reasons

-Zaheer Abbas, International Cricket Council (ICC) President fears for Pakistan players' security during the World T20 in India next year

-He cited the incident of Shiv Sena activists storming Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai

-Talks between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and his Pakistan counterpart Shahryar Khan was today cancelled

-The Twenty20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in March-April

-Former Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, who are in India as part of Star Sports' commentary team for the India-South Africa series, will return home before the fifth ODI in Mumbai

-ICC withdrew Aleem Dar, the Pakistani umpire, from the last two ODIs

Zaheer Abbas, International Cricket Council (ICC) President, citing the incident of Shiv Sena activists storming Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai protesting against the resumption of bilateral cricket series between the arch-rivals, said he fears for Pakistan players' security during the World T20 in India next year.

The much-anticipated talks between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and his Pakistan counterpart Shahryar Khan was today cancelled after Shiv Sena protested against a possible Indo-Pak series in the UAE in December.

"Pakistan and India cricket authorities must work it out, otherwise I fear the Pakistan players could also refuse to tour India for the upcoming World T20 Cup, citing security concerns," former Test captain Abbas told a news channel.

"I don't know what the environment will be when the World T20 is held in India but if this situation persists, obviously there will be extra pressure on our players," he added.

The Twenty20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in March-April.

A three-member delegation of the PCB -- Shahryar, the chairman of the Executive Committee Najam Sethi and chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad -- are presently in India to meet the BCCI officials on Indo-Pak cricketing ties.

Earlier, Zaheer had told the Pakistani media that politics and sports should be kept apart and the arch-rivals should play at a neutral venue in December to help reduce tensions between the two countries.

Former Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, who are in India as part of Star Sports' commentary team for the India-South Africa series, will return home before the fifth ODI in Mumbai.

The news broke soon after the ICC withdrew Aleem Dar, the Pakistani umpire, from the last two ODIs. An ICC press release cited "Monday's incident in Mumbai where a group of extremists stormed into the BCCI office" as the reason for its decision.

Indian batsman Laxmipathy Balaji (ground) fails to save his wicket from a run out attempt by Pakistani bowler Mohammad Sami. Photo: AFP